Weekly K-Pop Music Chart 2010 – September Week 2

1. (+2) Secret – Madonna*** 1 WEEK NO. 1 ***
Score: 848Genre: Pop/DanceMusic+Lyrics: Kang Ji Won, Kim Ki BumAlbum: Secret mini-album Vol. 2 Track 1 Purchase this albumWatch:MVLive PerformanceComment: Secret scores their first No. 1 song with “Madonna”. They came close with “Magic” early this year and finally hit the top this time. This song is from Secret’s second mini album titled “Madonna.” The title track of the same album was composed by hit maker Kang Ji Won and Kim Ki Bum. The song is about living strongly and with much confidence in the current time period like Madonna did. Unlike the popular electronic pop dance songs popular in the Korean music scene at the moment, this song is livened with the feeling of a performance. Korea’s top brass band TST took part in the song to complete it. Secret debuted late last year and were overshadowed by other rookie girl groups in “the year of girl groups”, but they were widely regarded for their overall talents. Now finally they have a No. 1 song under their belt. Congratulations!

2. (–) Homme – 밥만 잘 먹더라 (Eat Well)
Score: 784Genre: Pop BalladMusic + Lyrics: Bang Shi HyukAlbum: Homme digital single “Homme By Hitman Bang” Track 1Watch:MVLive PerformanceComment: Perhaps the top duet this year, 2AM’s Chang Min and and 8eight’s Lee Hyun join hands with producer Bang Shi Hyuk for his project, Homme by “Hitman Bang” in time for the summer. The rock, pop, and R&B hybrid number, “Eat Well” uses guitar and drum sounds to refresh listeners’ hearts. It’s the type of song that will make listeners just drop what they are doing and leave. The two artists’ powerful harmonization will definitely make listeners feel the emotions of the song. This week it remains at No. 2.

3. (-2) DJ DOC – 나 이런 사람이야(I’m This Kind Of Person)
Score: 776Genre: Pop/Hip-hop/DanceMusic: Yoon Gun Hyung / Lyrics: Psy, Lee Ha NeulAlbum: DJ DOC Vol. 7 Track 2 Purchase this albumWatch:MVLive PerformanceComment: After three weeks on top, DJ DOC’s “I’m This Kind Of Person” fell two spots to No. 3. They are one of the most prominent old skool K-Pop/hip-hop groups with past hits like “Run to You”, “Dance With DOC”, and “Summer Story”. DJ DOC returns after six years with its seventh album, “Appreciation”. This album marks the group’s 15th anniversary in the music industry. The title track “I’m This Kind of Person” is an electronica number with fun lyrics and is expected to capture listeners’ ears. This song along with others from this album has already ranked very high on various music charts and the album is also selling well.

4. (+1) Jo Sung Mo – 바람필래(I Want To Cheat)
Score: 680Genre: PopMusic+Lyrics: Brave BrothersAlbum: Jo Sung Mo special album “Sung Mo Meet Brave” Track 2 Purchase this albumWatch:MVLive PerformanceComment: Veteran musician Jo Sung Mo and the Brave Brothers meet – ballad and trendy music likewise meet. The title track is “I Want to Cheat”, which showcases how much Jo Sung Mo has changed – the electronic guitar riffs and the easy to follow melody line is expected to be popular among listeners. It is totally different from Jo Sung Mo’s previous ballads. The chemistry works wonderful, and “I Want To Cheat” has high airplays in Korea. This week it moves up one spot to No. 4.

5. (+10) Tae Yang – I’ll Be There
Score: 679Genre: R&B / DanceMusic +Lyrics: TeddyAlbum: Tae Yang Vol. 1 International Edition Track 3 Purchase this albumWatch:MVLive PerformanceComment: Title song from the newly released International Edition of Big Bang member Tae Yang’s first full studio album. Tae Yang’s previous hit “I Need A Girl” reached No. 2 on our chart. This song is written and produced by YG’s main producer Teddy. It combines R&B, dance, and electronica elements. This week it moves up 10 big spots to No. 5.

6. (+29) FT Island – 사랑 사랑 사랑(Love Love Love)
Score: 677Genre: Pop RockMusic: Kim Do Hoon, Lee Seung Ho / Lyrics: Kim Do Hoon Lee Seung Ho, MarioAlbum: FT Island mini-album “Beautiful Journey” Track 1 Purchase this albumWatch:MVLive PerformanceComment: FT Island makes a comeback after a year with its second mini album “Beautiful Journey.” The band had been quite busy the past months with their Japanese activities. The new album includes five new tracks, with “Love Love Love” being the title track. The album follows the concept of going on vacation as shown through the album jacket and 24-page photo booklet. “Love Love Love” is a mid-tempo pop rock song that fans will fall in love with immediately. The song already tops many charts and scored wins on music shows. This week it moves up 29 big spots to No. 6.

7. (–) Rainbow – A
Score: 663Genre: Pop/DanceMusic: Kim Seung Soo, Han Jae Ho / Lyrics: Song Soo YoonAlbum: Rainbow digital single A Track 1Watch:MVLive PerformanceComment: Rainbow debuted last November with their mini album “Gossip Girl”, and has received a lot of love from fans for their fresh and bubbly image. After eight months, they are back with their first digital single album “A”. The title track “A” was co-produced by Han Jae Ho and Kim Seung Soo, which is a pop dance track with hip hop beats and a touch of rock. The song showcases the members’ individuality and refreshing voices, as well as their great rapping skills. Unlike their fresh and bubbly concept from their first mini album “Gossip Girl”, their digital single album photo concept reveals more of a mature and sophisticated style. Through their music stage appearances, we’ll be expecting to see a different side of Rainbow that we haven’t seen in the past. This week “A” remains at No. 7.

8. (+35) Wheesung – 결혼까지 생각했어(Even Thought Of Marriage)*** BIGGEST MOVER OF THE WEEK ***
Score: 590Genre: R&B/DanceMusic: Kim Do Hoon / Lyrics: WheesungAlbum: Wheesung mini-album “Realslow Is Back” Track 1 Purchase this albumWatch:MVLive PerformanceComment: Multi-talented artist Wheesung, who’s capable of working with all sorts of genres – ballad, R&B, dance, rock, and so forth, returns after ten months with a new single album, “Real Slow is Back.” It includes title track “Even Thought of Marriage” and newly arranged versions of “Rose” and “Love, That Bad Disease” – songs that were included in his sixth album. “Even Thought of Marriage” is a powerful R&B dance number composed by renowned composed Kim Do Hoon and penned by Wheesung himself. It has strong sounds backed up with the artist’s solid vocals. The song is about a man who feels sad and pathetic when a lover he even decide to marry, leaves him. This week it is our biggest mover, up 35 spots to No. 8.

9. (+5) ERU – 하얀 눈물(White Tears)
Score: 563Genre: Pop BalladMusic: Yoon Myung Sun / Lyrics: ERU, Yoon Myung SunAlbum: ERU Vol. 4 Track 2 Purchase this albumWatch:MVLive PerformanceComment: Eru, who is loved by the Korean public for his captivating and distinct voice, has returned with a new album after serving two years in the military. During those two years, he worked on the concept of his album and has expressed his strong attachment and confidence for his album to the public even after being discharged from the military. The title song of this album is “White Tears”, which is a sequel to his previous hit song “Black Glasses”. It is yet another breakup story about someone shedding white tears after taking off the black glasses. It is a traditional ballad song that only Eru can sing. This song was again composed by Yoon Myung Sun, who wrote “Black Glasses”. This week it moves up five spots into the top 10 at No. 9.

10. (-6) BoA – 허리케인 비너스(Hurricane Venus)
Score: 555Genre: Pop/DanceMusic: Lidbom, Hansen, Wik / Lyrics: Kenzie, BoA, Hong Ji YooAlbum: BoA Vol. 6 Track 2 Purchase this albumWatch:MVLive PerformanceComment: This is the title track of BoA’s 6th studio album with the same title, ‘Hurricane Venus.’ It is a song with a powerful chorus and lyrics about a woman who loves intensely like a hurricane. The addition of sexy grooves and beats perfected BoA’s seductive charisma and performance. It shows the determination of BoA, who’s back on stage in Korea after many years. (credits to Arirang TV – Pops In Seoul)

11. (-5) Seo In Kook – 애기야 (My Baby U)
Score: 554Genre: Pop Music: PJ, Kim Do Hoon, Hwang Se Joon / Lyrics: WheesungAlbum: Seo In Kook Special Album “MY Baby U” Track 3 Purchase this albumWatch:MV TeaserLive PerformanceComment: Seo In Kook returns this summer with a special album and another love confession. The artist had received much popularity with “Love U” and has returned with a lovely version of the song along with a new song, “My Baby U.” The latter song was composed by Kim Do Hoon, Hwang Se Jung, and PJ and penned by Wheesung. Rhymer’s featured rap making further completes the song. The phrase “My Baby” came from the drama “Lovers in Paris” where actor Park Shin Yang used it to call his lover Kim Jung Eun. Despite gaining in points, this week “My Baby U” drops fivs spots to No. 11.

12. (+13) Cho Shin Sung – 그리운 날에(On The Days I Miss You)
Score: 521Genre: Pop/DanceMusic + Lyrics: Brave BrothersAlbum: Cho Shin Sung mini-album “Time To Shine” Track 2 Purchase this albumWatch:MVLive PerformanceComment: It’s been a year since the release of Cho Shin Sung’s digital single “T.T.L (Time to Love)” with T-ara. The boy band has returned with its first mini album, “Time to Shine” after working two years in Japan. The title track is “On The Days I Miss You” which has electronica synth bass sounds and great lyrics to go along with it. Fans will be able to hear Cho Shin Sung’s hidden vocal skills. This week it moves up 13 spots to No. 12.

13. (+3) Narsha – 맘마미아 (Mamma Mia)
Score: 472Genre: Pop/DanceMusic: Lee Min Soo / Lyrics: Kim InaAlbum: Narsha digital single “Mamma Mia” Track 1Watch:MVLive PerformanceComment: Narsha, who spent the past month promoting her solo activities with “Bbi Ri Bba Bba”, has returned with a digital repackaged version of her mini album. Her follow-up track, “Mama Mia” is a dance number produced by Cho Young Chul, composed by Lee Min Soo, and penned by Kim Ina. They were also responsible for the Brown Eyed Girls’ songs“Abracadabra,” “LOVE,” and “My Style,” making this new single a hot issue. The song uses strong drum beats and lively synthesizer sounds which seem to flow well with Narsha’s vocals. Junior group, Sunny Hill is also makes a feature in this number. This week “Mamma Mia” moves up three spots to No. 13.

14. (-2) Davichi – 난 너에게 (Better Together)
Score: 469Genre: Pop BalladMusic: Cho Young Soo / Lyrics: Ahn Young MinAlbum: Cho Young Soo All-Star 2010 digital singleWatch:MVComment: Davichi meets with top composer Cho Young Soo to prepare for this year’s All Star Album following MC Mong and Seo In Young’s “Bubble Love”. “From Me To You” is a bright love story with lovable lyrics and melody that makes listeners smile. A 30 member orchestra takes part in the song, creating a beautiful accompaniment to Davichi’s sweet and refreshing vocals. The song is perfect for the summer. This week it drop two spots to No. 14.

15. (-6) SHINee – 루시퍼 (Lucifer)
Score: 459Genre: Pop/DanceMusic: Yoo Young Jin, Jhun, Kapit, Rexha / Lyrics: Yoo Young JinAlbum: SHINee Vol. 2 Track 2 Purchase this albumWatch:MVLive PerformanceComment: This is the title track of SHINee’s 2nd studio album with the same title, ‘Lucifer.’ It is an urban electronica song, which has an addictive appeal with an intense and sophisticated rhythm. The lyrics express that if he and his emotions are put under restriction in a relationship, then there’s no future and the relationship will eventually come to an end. SHINee’s transformation as powerful performers can be seen on stage. (credits to Arirang TV – Pops In Seoul)

16. (+20) Sistar – 가식걸(Shady Girl)
Score: 447Genre: Pop/DanceMusic+Lyrics: Brave BrothersAlbum: Sistar mini-album “Shady” Girl Track 2 Purchase this albumWatch:MVLive PerformanceComment: Rookie group, Sistar, makes its comeback with its second single album. The title track is “Shady Girl,” a dance number with strong hip-hop beats and lyrics. It was composed by the Brave Brothers and produced by world renowned producer Eliot Kennedy, upgrading the song a notch. The song holds lyrics about how a girl may seem a bit “shady” in front of a lover, but it’s because they want to look nice for him. This week it moves up 20 spots to No. 16.

17. (-4) Zi-A – 웃음만(Just A Smile)
Score: 401Genre: Pop BalladMusic: KZ / Lyrics: Kim Ina, D’DayAlbum: Zi-A mini-album “Difference” Track 1 Purchase this albumWatch:MVLive PerformanceComment: Zi-A transforms and makes a comeback with a new mini album titled, “Difference.” The singer already has many hit songs under her belt including “Gaze,” “Feel Like Bursting,” and “Have One Glass of Alcohol With Me.” This time, Zi-A joins hands with producer Jo Young Chul who helped Brown Eyed Girls rise to fame with “Abracadabra” and producer Choi Gap Won. The title track is “Just a Smile”, which was composed by the composer who wrote Narsha’s “Queen B” and Brown Eyed Girl’s “Glam Girl.” This hybrid ballad will show yet another side of Zi-A who’s known for her popular ballads. This week it drops four spots to No. 17.

18. (-8) Hwanhee – ..하다가(..While Doing)
Score: 368Genre: R&B BalladMusic: Choi Gyu Sung / Lyrics: Choi Gyu Sung, RadoAlbum: Hwanhee mini-album “H-Hour” Track 2 Purchase this albumWatch:MVLive PerformanceComment: Former Fly to the Sky member, Hwanhee, makes a comeback this summer with his second mini album, “H-Hour” – it’s been ten months since his first. This time around, Hwanhee took part in producing the album himself and with the help of composers Choi Gyu Sung, RADO, Kim Tae Hyun, and others, completed his second solo work. The title track is “While Doing,” which was composed by Choi Gyu Song and RADO. Overall, the medium tempo number has a bright feel along with a sad melody line. Hwanhee’s vocals help bring out the hurting breakup mood of the song. This week it drops eight spots to No. 18.

19. (-8) Miss A – Bad Girl Good Girl
Score: 359Genre: Pop / DanceMusic + Lyrics: Park Jin YoungAlbum: Miss A first single “Bad But Good” Track 1 Purchase this albumWatch:MVLive PerformanceComment: This is the title track of Miss A’s first single album, ‘Bad But Good.’ It’s Miss A’s debut single, which became the talk of the town even before its release because it was produced by Park Jin-young. It’s a medium tempo song with a combination of a rich European-style musical melody and intense American-style hip-hop rhythm. The straight-forward lyrics where the girls confidently express themselves are impressive. (credits to Arirang TV – Pops In Seoul)

20. (New) 4Men – U*** HOT SHOT DEBUT ***
Score: 323Genre: R&B BalladMusic +Lyrics: E-TribeAlbum: 4Men + E-Tribe mini-album “You” Track 1 Purchase this albumWatch:MV TeaserLive PerformanceComment: R&B group 4Men has teamed up with E-Tribe – the formidable composer-producer duo behind hits like Girls’ Generation’s “Gee”, Lee Hyo Ri’s “U-Go-Girl”, and Super Junior’s “It’s You” – for the special mini-album You. This project album came about because of E-Tribe’s admiration for 4Men lead vocal Shin Young Jae’s voice. 4Men had a breakthrough hit earlier this year with “Can’t Do”. “U” is another pure R&B song that we don’t see often in K-Pop these days. “U” is our highest debut this week at No. 20.